A WRITERS' group in Pickering has published a new volume of short stories and poetry which delves into the history of the town.

The Pike and the Ring and other Pickering Stories is the first-ever collection of stories by the town's Castle Writers group.

The book features a story about a young Pickering soldier who loses his life during the Second World War. Other stories include the tale of a mysterious figure sitting beside the fire in the Bay Horse pub, the story of Dimple Withers, who disappeared in the town nearly two centuries ago, and the legend of the formation of the steep cliff at Sutton Bank.

Betty East, of the group, said: "Prose and poetry fill up the pages of this little must-have volume. You will see the Market Place and many other parts of Pickering, with different eyes after you've read it."

The Castle Writers have been meeting for about four years in the Friends Meeting House, close to Pickering Castle. There are plans for further books of stories and poems.

The book is on sale for £6.95. It is available at Television House and The Bay Horse Pub in Pickering's Market Place, and at Pickering Library.